South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry.

The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain.

This test was carried out on Thursday.

The ministry added that an urgent response team was sent to the farm that houses about 19,000 ducks, and all of the birds were culled. There are six other poultry farms within a radius of three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the farm.

H5N8 is the same subtype of AI detected from among wild birds here this year. It is the first time in about two years and eight months that the highly pathogenic bird flu has broken out at a local poultry farm.

The authorities have issued an order to stop any activities at poultry and livestock facilities, as well as the movement of poultry products across the country for 48 hours, while for poultry farms in Jeongeup, the blockage will last seven days, and for farms within a radius of 10 kilometers from the site of the outbreak 30 days.&nbsp;

The national alert level over the spread of bird flu has been raised to a "serious hazard."

Meanwhile, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that, as a preemptive measure, the province's government would cull about 392,000 chickens and ducks at farms located within three kilometers of the Jeongeup duck farm.

South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry. The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain.

South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry. The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain. This test was carried out on Thursday. The ministry added that an urgent response team was sent to the farm that houses about 19,000 ducks, and all of the birds were culled. There are six other poultry farms within a radius of three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the farm. H5N8 is the same subtype of AI detected from among wild birds here this year. It is the first time in about two years and eight months that the highly pathogenic bird flu has broken out at a local poultry farm. The authorities have issued an order to stop any activities at poultry and livestock facilities, as well as the movement of poultry products across the country for 48 hours, while for poultry farms in Jeongeup, the blockage will last seven days, and for farms within a radius of 10 kilometers from the site of the outbreak 30 days. The national alert level over the spread of bird flu has been raised to a "serious hazard." Meanwhile, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that, as a preemptive measure, the province's government would cull about 392,000 chickens and ducks at farms located within three kilometers of the Jeongeup duck farm.

South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry

South Korea's intelligence agency said it foiled the North's attempts to hack into its companies developing coronavirus vaccines.

North Korea has so far not confirmed any coronavirus infection.

Ha Tae-keung, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, said after being briefed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that the agency did not specify how many and which drugmakers were targetted but said there was no damage from the hacking attempts.

The revelation came after Microsoft said early this month that hackers working for the Russian and North Korean governments tried to break into the networks of seven pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in Canada, France, India, South Korea and the United States.

The closed-door briefings by the NIS which shares intelligence and analyses with other key neighbours provide rare public access to information about the reclusive North.

Ha and another member Kim Byung-kee said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had taken some "unreasonable" action due to a COVID-19 "paranoia."

That included banning fishing and salt production because the seawater might have been contaminated with the virus, and stranding some 110,000 tons of rice from China in the northeastern Chinese port of Dalian.

 
&nbsp;

South Korea's intelligence agency said it foiled the North's attempts to hack into its companies developing coronavirus vaccines. North Korea has so far not confirmed any coronavirus infection.

South Korea's intelligence agency said it foiled the North's attempts to hack into its companies developing coronavirus vaccines. North Korea has so far not confirmed any coronavirus infection. Ha Tae-keung, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, said after being briefed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that the agency did not specify how many and which drugmakers were targetted but said there was no damage from the hacking attempts. The revelation came after Microsoft said early this month that hackers working for the Russian and North Korean governments tried to break into the networks of seven pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in Canada, France, India, South Korea and the United States. The closed-door briefings by the NIS which shares intelligence and analyses with other key neighbours provide rare public access to information about the reclusive North. Ha and another member Kim Byung-kee said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had taken some "unreasonable" action due to a COVID-19 "paranoia." That included banning fishing and salt production because the seawater might have been contaminated with the virus, and stranding some 110,000 tons of rice from China in the northeastern Chinese port of Dalian.

South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers

The foreign ministers of South Korea and China have pledged to work together to advance bilateral ties and tackle regional and global issues -- including stalled nuclear talks involving North Korea and the coronavirus pandemic.

The ministerial talks come as both countries explore the possibility of Xi visiting Seoul, just as the United States is gearing up for a new administration under Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. Xi's trip had been expected early this year but was postponed by the pandemic disrupting the diplomatic calendar.

South Korea's Kang Kyung-wha held talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi who arrived in Seoul late on Wednesday, after spending two days in Tokyo amid talk of a trip to Seoul by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Wang said his visit was to highlight the importance of bilateral relations as the two countries cooperate as "strategic partners" on defending regional peace and stability and promote global governance.

"The COVID-19 crisis could not defeat the citizens of our two countries," he told Kang at the start of the meeting, through an interpreter.

"The bilateral ties have overcome the COVID-19 ordeals and are showing their strength and ever more vigour."

Kang thanked Wang for the visit, expressing hopes for an exchange of views to deepen cooperation on issues including North Korea, the pandemic and economic recovery ahead of the 30th anniversary of the bilateral relations in 2022.

"I am also looking forward to discussing ways to stably manage the fluid situation on the Korean peninsula and to foster conditions to move forward our efforts to build lasting peace," she said.

Wang is the second senior Chinese diplomat to visit South Korea since the coronavirus emerged in China late last year, following an August trip by Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party Politburo.

Wang is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in, among other officials.

The foreign ministers of South Korea and China have pledged to work together to advance bilateral ties and tackle regional and global issues -- including stalled nuclear talks involving North Korea and the coronavirus pandemic.

The foreign ministers of South Korea and China have pledged to work together to advance bilateral ties and tackle regional and global issues -- including stalled nuclear talks involving North Korea and the coronavirus pandemic. The ministerial talks come as both countries explore the possibility of Xi visiting Seoul, just as the United States is gearing up for a new administration under Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. Xi's trip had been expected early this year but was postponed by the pandemic disrupting the diplomatic calendar. South Korea's Kang Kyung-wha held talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi who arrived in Seoul late on Wednesday, after spending two days in Tokyo amid talk of a trip to Seoul by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang said his visit was to highlight the importance of bilateral relations as the two countries cooperate as "strategic partners" on defending regional peace and stability and promote global governance. "The COVID-19 crisis could not defeat the citizens of our two countries," he told Kang at the start of the meeting, through an interpreter. "The bilateral ties have overcome the COVID-19 ordeals and are showing their strength and ever more vigour." Kang thanked Wang for the visit, expressing hopes for an exchange of views to deepen cooperation on issues including North Korea, the pandemic and economic recovery ahead of the 30th anniversary of the bilateral relations in 2022. "I am also looking forward to discussing ways to stably manage the fluid situation on the Korean peninsula and to foster conditions to move forward our efforts to build lasting peace," she said. Wang is the second senior Chinese diplomat to visit South Korea since the coronavirus emerged in China late last year, following an August trip by Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party Politburo. Wang is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in, among other officials.

Diplomats from Seoul and Beijing vow to work on North Korea, COVID-19

A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced the leader of an online sexual blackmail ring to 40 years in prison, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Cho Ju-bin, 24, was found guilty of running an online network that blackmailed at least 74 women, including 16 teenagers, into what authorities called "virtual enslavement" by forcing them to send increasingly degrading and sometimes violent sexual imagery of themselves between May 2019 and February 2020.

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Cho for violating criminal and child protection laws by making and releasing pornography and running a criminal organisation, Yonhap said.

Cho`s lawyer could not be reached for comment. However, when he was taken into police custody in March, Cho said he wanted to apologise to the victims.

"The defendant had lured and threatened multiple victims in various ways to produce pornography and distributed it for a long time to many," Yonhap reported, citing the unidentified judge who handed down the verdict and sentence. "He in particular inflicted irrecoverable damage to many victims by publishing their identifies."

The case sparked a national outcry, with millions of Koreans signing petitions urging authorities to release Cho`s identity and investigate not only the organisers, but also participants of the network who paid as much as 1.5 million won ($1,360) to see the abusive videos and images.

Police have said at least 124 suspects have been arrested and 18 operators of chat rooms on Telegram and other social media, including Cho, were detained following investigations into similar sexual crimes since late last year.

A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced the leader of an online sexual blackmail ring to 40 years in prison, the Yonhap news agency reported. Cho Ju-bin, 24, was found guilty of running an online network that blackmailed at least 74 women, including 16 teenagers, into what authorities called "virtual enslavement" by forcing them to send increasingly degrading and sometimes violent sexual imagery of themselves between May 2019 and February 2020.

A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced the leader of an online sexual blackmail ring to 40 years in prison, the Yonhap news agency reported. Cho Ju-bin, 24, was found guilty of running an online network that blackmailed at least 74 women, including 16 teenagers, into what authorities called "virtual enslavement" by forcing them to send increasingly degrading and sometimes violent sexual imagery of themselves between May 2019 and February 2020. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Cho for violating criminal and child protection laws by making and releasing pornography and running a criminal organisation, Yonhap said. Cho`s lawyer could not be reached for comment. However, when he was taken into police custody in March, Cho said he wanted to apologise to the victims. "The defendant had lured and threatened multiple victims in various ways to produce pornography and distributed it for a long time to many," Yonhap reported, citing the unidentified judge who handed down the verdict and sentence. "He in particular inflicted irrecoverable damage to many victims by publishing their identifies." The case sparked a national outcry, with millions of Koreans signing petitions urging authorities to release Cho`s identity and investigate not only the organisers, but also participants of the network who paid as much as 1.5 million won ($1,360) to see the abusive videos and images. Police have said at least 124 suspects have been arrested and 18 operators of chat rooms on Telegram and other social media, including Cho, were detained following investigations into similar sexual crimes since late last year.

South Korea sentences leader of sexual blackmail ring to 40 years in prison

When artist Kim Kang-eun found the slopes of Mount Jiri, South Korea's largest national park littered with rubbish during a two-day trip in 2018, she decided it was time to send out a message about taking better care of nature.

Drone footage shows South Korean artist transforming trash into art on mountains

South Korea reported another daily rise of more than 200 new coronavirus cases on Monday, a day after it tightened social distancing rules as it battles a third wave of infection.

South Korea introduces new curbs to contain the third wave of COVID-19

“The third wave of COVID-19 outbreaks is increasingly in full swing,” Health Minister Park Neung-hoo told a briefing.

South Korea to close bars, restrict restaurants amid coronavirus spike

In a bid to highlight the close historic people to people ties, India is all set to produce a musical on an Indian princess from Ayodhya who went on to become a South Korean Queen, and many South Koreans trace their lineage to her.&nbsp;

Legend has it, the Princess Suriratna of India went to Korea, some 2000 years ago in 48 AD and married King Kim Suro of Geumgwan Gaya. She is well known today in South Korea as Queen Heo Hwang-ok.

Director-General of ICCR Dinesh Patnaik told WION, "On the musical, it is basically a joint production, but right now we are looking at doing it first in India, with Indian actors and then take it to Korea. At some stage, it will have both Korean and Indian actors"

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-host-conference-on-buddhist-studies-from-next-year-344041" hreflang="en">India to host conference on Buddhist studies from next year</a>

Queen Heo Hwang-ok's story will also be a part of one of the many stories in a book being planned by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) that will showcase the millennia-old people-to-people connection between India and countries across the world.

In fact, according to legend, all South Koreans who have the surname "Heo" are the descendants of Queen Heo. She had 10 sons, 2 retained Queen's name and it continues till date.

The government of Uttar Pradesh government is expanding a memorial dedicated to Heo Hwang-ok in Ayodhya, whose foundation stone was laid by South Korea's first lady Kim Jung-sook in November of 2018.

In a bid to highlight the close historic people to people ties, India is all set to produce a musical on an Indian princess from Ayodhya who went on to become a South Korean Queen, and many South Koreans trace their lineage to her.

In a bid to highlight the close historic people to people ties, India is all set to produce a musical on an Indian princess from Ayodhya who went on to become a South Korean Queen, and many South Koreans trace their lineage to her. Legend has it, the Princess Suriratna of India went to Korea, some 2000 years ago in 48 AD and married King Kim Suro of Geumgwan Gaya. She is well known today in South Korea as Queen Heo Hwang-ok. Director-General of ICCR Dinesh Patnaik told WION, "On the musical, it is basically a joint production, but right now we are looking at doing it first in India, with Indian actors and then take it to Korea. At some stage, it will have both Korean and Indian actors" Also read| India to host conference on Buddhist studies from next year Queen Heo Hwang-ok's story will also be a part of one of the many stories in a book being planned by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) that will showcase the millennia-old people-to-people connection between India and countries across the world. In fact, according to legend, all South Koreans who have the surname "Heo" are the descendants of Queen Heo. She had 10 sons, 2 retained Queen's name and it continues till date. The government of Uttar Pradesh government is expanding a memorial dedicated to Heo Hwang-ok in Ayodhya, whose foundation stone was laid by South Korea's first lady Kim Jung-sook in November of 2018.

India planning musical on South Korea's Indian Queen

A growing number of South Korean women are training to be morticians, a field from which they had long been excluded, amid changing views on gender roles and a rising preference for women’s bodies to be handled by women.

With recent deaths of female celebrities and prominent figures, as well as growing scrutiny of sex crimes against women, gender sensitivity is changing the way families of the deceased bid farewell to their grandmothers, mothers and daughters.

“I felt uncomfortable when my classmates of a different sex touched my body, even when I was fully dressed,” said Park Se-jung, 19, who is in her second year of funeral directing studies. “I sure wouldn’t want them to touch, wash and dress my naked body even if I were dead. I am determined I should be the one bidding those women a proper farewell.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/almost-90000-sex-abuse-claims-filed-against-us-boy-scouts-legal-team-says-343628">Almost 90,000 sex abuse claims filed against US Boy Scouts, legal team says</a>

The trend comes amid growing calls for crackdowns of sexual violence against women, including a rash of hidden-camera crimes, “revenge porn”, and online networks that blackmailed women and girls into sharing sexual and sometimes violent images of themselves.

In the early 2000s, about a third of mortician students in the country were women, but today they make up around 60% of the class, said Lee Jong-woo, a professor of embalming at Eulji University in Seongnam near Seoul.

“With Confucian ideology, death was considered a taboo in South Korea in the past, and had negative perceptions of whether women could handle such work, but the perception has been changing,” Lee said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshi-teenager-awarded-childrens-peace-prize-for-fighting-cybercrime-343119">Bangladeshi teenager awarded Children's Peace Prize for fighting cybercrime</a>

Young deaths

Funeral companies say they have been receiving more requests for female morticians.

“Most of the deaths of young people are suicides, and the families of the bereaved, especially if it was suicide and a woman, feel more comfortable if we handle the body,” said Park Bo-ram, a funeral director of seven years.

“I recall a teenaged student, an only child ... had committed suicide,” Park said. “Washing and dressing the body, I saw many signs of self-injury on her thigh, but none of her family knew.”

Park recalls that the girl’s parents were immensely grateful, even in the midst of sadness, that a female mortician handled their daughter’s body.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshi-stars-comeback-after-islamist-death-threats-342847" hreflang="en">Bangladeshi star's comeback after Islamist death threats</a>

South Korea’s suicide rate is the highest in the developed world: 24.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019, compared with an OECD average of 11.3. That year, it was the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s.

More than 4,000 women committed suicide in 2019, including young female K-pop artists Koo Hara and Sulli.

In 2016, a quarter of the country’s 6,200 funeral directors were women, and with more than 130,000 girls and women dying each year, requests for female funeral directors are expected to rise further, Korea Employment Information Service said.

Yet some resistance to women in the mortuary business remains.

Shin Hwa-jin, 21, who plans to work at a funeral home after graduation, said she was shocked to hear a female mortician relate a conversation with her mother-in-law.

“Her mother-in-law asked her: ‘How dare you think of cooking my meals with the hands that touched a dead body?’” she said.

A growing number of South Korean women are training to be morticians, a field from which they had long been excluded, amid changing views on gender roles and a rising preference for women’s bodies to be handled by women.

A growing number of South Korean women are training to be morticians, a field from which they had long been excluded, amid changing views on gender roles and a rising preference for women’s bodies to be handled by women. With recent deaths of female celebrities and prominent figures, as well as growing scrutiny of sex crimes against women, gender sensitivity is changing the way families of the deceased bid farewell to their grandmothers, mothers and daughters. “I felt uncomfortable when my classmates of a different sex touched my body, even when I was fully dressed,” said Park Se-jung, 19, who is in her second year of funeral directing studies. “I sure wouldn’t want them to touch, wash and dress my naked body even if I were dead. I am determined I should be the one bidding those women a proper farewell.” Also read| Almost 90,000 sex abuse claims filed against US Boy Scouts, legal team says The trend comes amid growing calls for crackdowns of sexual violence against women, including a rash of hidden-camera crimes, “revenge porn”, and online networks that blackmailed women and girls into sharing sexual and sometimes violent images of themselves. In the early 2000s, about a third of mortician students in the country were women, but today they make up around 60% of the class, said Lee Jong-woo, a professor of embalming at Eulji University in Seongnam near Seoul. “With Confucian ideology, death was considered a taboo in South Korea in the past, and had negative perceptions of whether women could handle such work, but the perception has been changing,” Lee said. Also read| Bangladeshi teenager awarded Children's Peace Prize for fighting cybercrime Young deaths Funeral companies say they have been receiving more requests for female morticians. “Most of the deaths of young people are suicides, and the families of the bereaved, especially if it was suicide and a woman, feel more comfortable if we handle the body,” said Park Bo-ram, a funeral director of seven years. “I recall a teenaged student, an only child ... had committed suicide,” Park said. “Washing and dressing the body, I saw many signs of self-injury on her thigh, but none of her family knew.” Park recalls that the girl’s parents were immensely grateful, even in the midst of sadness, that a female mortician handled their daughter’s body. Also read| Bangladeshi star's comeback after Islamist death threats South Korea’s suicide rate is the highest in the developed world: 24.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019, compared with an OECD average of 11.3. That year, it was the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s. More than 4,000 women committed suicide in 2019, including young female K-pop artists Koo Hara and Sulli. In 2016, a quarter of the country’s 6,200 funeral directors were women, and with more than 130,000 girls and women dying each year, requests for female funeral directors are expected to rise further, Korea Employment Information Service said. Yet some resistance to women in the mortuary business remains. Shin Hwa-jin, 21, who plans to work at a funeral home after graduation, said she was shocked to hear a female mortician relate a conversation with her mother-in-law. “Her mother-in-law asked her: ‘How dare you think of cooking my meals with the hands that touched a dead body?’” she said.

Women handling the dead: More female morticians in South Korea as taboo fades

A new K-pop girl band "aespa" made its debut on Tuesday (November 17) in a music video for its first single, "Black Mamba", released by its agency SM Entertainment.

"Future of entertainment": New K-Pop girl band "aespa" makes debut with their virtual avatars

Tottenham&nbsp;Hotspur striker&nbsp;Son Heung-min has been confined to his room when not training after six of his South Korea team-mates tested positive for Covid-19 on international duty in Austria, officials said Monday.

Although Son, 28, tested negative, he and the rest of the squad have been told to stay in their hotel rooms in Vienna, unless they are training.

Despite the positive cases, South Korea played Mexico on Saturday, losing 3-2, and are due to face Qatar on Tuesday, depending on the results of a new round of testing.

Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Hwang In-beom, Na Sang-ho, Kim Moon-hwan and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo have all tested positive for the virus, the Korea Football Association confirmed to AFP.

The Qatar game will go ahead if at least 13 players are Covid-free in the latest test results, which are due later on Monday, an official said.

Several international footballers have tested positive for the virus in the last week, including Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne.

On Saturday, Son, the most prolific Asian player in Premier League history, set up Hwang Ui-jo's opener before Mexico ran away with it, scoring three goals in quick succession in the second half. Kwon Kyung-won reduced the deficit late on.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min has been confined to his room when not training after six of his South Korea team-mates tested positive for Covid-19 on international duty in Austria, officials said Monday.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min has been confined to his room when not training after six of his South Korea team-mates tested positive for Covid-19 on international duty in Austria, officials said Monday. Although Son, 28, tested negative, he and the rest of the squad have been told to stay in their hotel rooms in Vienna, unless they are training. Despite the positive cases, South Korea played Mexico on Saturday, losing 3-2, and are due to face Qatar on Tuesday, depending on the results of a new round of testing. Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Hwang In-beom, Na Sang-ho, Kim Moon-hwan and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo have all tested positive for the virus, the Korea Football Association confirmed to AFP. The Qatar game will go ahead if at least 13 players are Covid-free in the latest test results, which are due later on Monday, an official said. Several international footballers have tested positive for the virus in the last week, including Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne. On Saturday, Son, the most prolific Asian player in Premier League history, set up Hwang Ui-jo's opener before Mexico ran away with it, scoring three goals in quick succession in the second half. Kwon Kyung-won reduced the deficit late on.

Son Heung-min Covid scare as outbreak hits South Korea team

Once ridiculed as music for grannies, trot is making a comeback and many South Koreans, mostly in their 40s and above, are cheering an alternative to K-pop idol music in one of the world’s fastest ageing societies.

It's not just K-pop in South Korea | People turn to old-time trot music

US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> dialled US allies, Australia, South Korea and Japan on Thursday as he delivered the message of reassurance to American commitments in the region.&nbsp;

Despite Donald Trump's refusal to accept defeat, the head of states of all the three nations earlier congratulated Biden on his victory.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-makes-first-white-house-appointment-names-klain-as-chief-of-staff-342522">Joe Biden makes first White House appointment, names Klain as Chief of Staff</a>

In his conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the latter told Biden about the "increasingly severe" security situation in the region, as per various Japanese officials.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-of-america-is-back-in-the-game-joe-biden-tells-world-leaders-342283">United States of America is ‘back in the game’: Joe Biden tells world leaders</a>

Biden, in his response, spoke of America's "deep commitment to the defence of Japan" and to decades-old treaty obligations, as per his transition team.

In a move likely to invite Beijing's wrath, the president-elect reportedly confirmed this defence commitment extended to the Senkakus, an uninhabited island chain claimed by both Japan and China which has been a major conflicting issue for decades.

Biden, in his 14-minute-conversation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said to have called the US-South Korea partnership as "the linchpin of security and prosperity" in the region and vowed to work collectively on "shared challenges", including North Korea and climate change.

South Korea's presidential Blue House said both leaders had agreed to meet "as soon as possible" after Biden's swearing-in.&nbsp;

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In his call with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Biden reportedly highlighted the need of "confronting climate change", which the conservative government in Canberra has been criticised for severely in recent times.&nbsp;

However, describing the call as "very warm", Morrison said Biden did not speak on net-zero carbon targets, focussing instead on "emissions reduction technologies".

Biden was also invited to visit Australia next year for the 70th anniversary of a security treaty between both the nations.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President-elect Joe Biden dialled US allies, Australia, South Korea and Japan on Thursday as he delivered the message of reassurance to American commitments in the region.

US President-elect Joe Biden dialled US allies, Australia, South Korea and Japan on Thursday as he delivered the message of reassurance to American commitments in the region. Despite Donald Trump's refusal to accept defeat, the head of states of all the three nations earlier congratulated Biden on his victory. Also read | Joe Biden makes first White House appointment, names Klain as Chief of Staff In his conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the latter told Biden about the "increasingly severe" security situation in the region, as per various Japanese officials. Also read | United States of America is ‘back in the game’: Joe Biden tells world leaders Biden, in his response, spoke of America's "deep commitment to the defence of Japan" and to decades-old treaty obligations, as per his transition team. In a move likely to invite Beijing's wrath, the president-elect reportedly confirmed this defence commitment extended to the Senkakus, an uninhabited island chain claimed by both Japan and China which has been a major conflicting issue for decades. Biden, in his 14-minute-conversation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said to have called the US-South Korea partnership as "the linchpin of security and prosperity" in the region and vowed to work collectively on "shared challenges", including North Korea and climate change. South Korea's presidential Blue House said both leaders had agreed to meet "as soon as possible" after Biden's swearing-in. × In his call with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Biden reportedly highlighted the need of "confronting climate change", which the conservative government in Canberra has been criticised for severely in recent times. However, describing the call as "very warm", Morrison said Biden did not speak on net-zero carbon targets, focussing instead on "emissions reduction technologies". Biden was also invited to visit Australia next year for the 70th anniversary of a security treaty between both the nations.

Joe Biden dials Asian Pacific allies, reassures American commitments

In a film theatre near Seoul, scores of middle-aged South Korean women in matching baby-blue T-shirts, hair bands and face masks inscribed with the word "Hero" are screaming, singing along and taking selfies. 
 
They are some of the 135,000-member fan clubs of top male South Korean singer Lim Young-Woong, gathering to watch "Mr Trot: The Movie", a movie featuring him and other singers who perform the country`s oldest form of popular music, commonly called trot. 
 
Lim`s fan club is called 'Age of Hero', after the singer`s name which means hero in Korean. 
Once ridiculed as music for grannies, the trot is making a comeback and many South Koreans, mostly in their 40s and above, are cheering an alternative to K-pop idol music in one of the world`s fastest ageing societies. 
 
K-pop is a multi-billion-dollar global music industry with bubbly bands like BTS and BLACKPINK enjoying huge fan bases outside South Korea. 
 
But at home, trot signers performing old ballads have seen the biggest increase in fans, according to top portal website Daum that analyses growth rates of fan clubs and their social media activities. 
 
"Our country is ageing, but it is hard to find songs that bring emotional empathy for the elderly population because the music is too idol-oriented," said Park Woo-Jung, 54, a member of Age of Hero. 
 
"But listening to Lim Young-Woong, I find his voice beautiful and comforting," said Park, wearing the sky-blue Hero mask. Lim`s new single topped online music charts earlier this month. 
 
Although considered uncool by youngsters, trot music has a broad national following with a storied history of success going back before the birth of modern K-pop. The music’s melancholic lyrics of unrequited love or yearning played to a repetitive beat has resonated with babyboomers and retirees, the generation that helped build Asia’s fourth-largest economy. 
 
MONEY AND TIME 
 
Today, fans of the genre have become an economic force to reckon with and many use their unlimited data plans to plug into streaming sites or vote for their favourite stars at awards, embracing ways of K-pop followers. 
 
"Fandom of the middle-aged and elderly is unconditional," said Jung Duk Hyun, a pop-culture columnist. "They have time to listen all day. They have money, and think their stars energize their life, then aggressively invest by buying and clicking." 
 
When Lim of Mr Trot became the model for a Ssangyong Motor SUV this year, sales surged 63% in May and 98% in June compared to the vehicle`s monthly average sales between January and April this year, the carmaker said. 
 
Song Jong-Choon is a fan of trot singer Song Ga-in whose songs, he says, "heal his broken soul," especially the one about lost hometowns that remind him of the countryside home he left. He doesn`t hesitate a moment to support her career. 
 
"We are old, and many of us are in the 50s who have economic power, so normally don`t mind the spending. But, if you are a (K-pop) idol fan, you have to do a part-time job to buy a concert ticket." 
 
The song is head of Song Ga-in`s fan club "AGAIN" with 57,000 members and six regional chapters. The club has its own guide book to show how to subscribe to streaming sites and click likes for her music videos. 
The living room of his apartment is decorated with giant photos of the singer and merchandise in her signature pink ranging from aprons to cushions with the singer`s pictures. 
 
The trot is unlikely to reach the global success of K-pop largely because of the language barrier, but fans believe their fandom as something special, treating their stars as if they are their own children. 
 
"BTS has (its Fanclub) ARMY but we are Mommies," said Hwang Eun-Jeong, a 52-year-old housewife and a member of Lim Young-Woong's fan club.

In a film theatre near Seoul, scores of middle-aged South Korean women in matching baby-blue T-shirts, hair bands and face masks inscribed with the word "Hero" are screaming, singing along and taking selfies.

In a film theatre near Seoul, scores of middle-aged South Korean women in matching baby-blue T-shirts, hair bands and face masks inscribed with the word "Hero" are screaming, singing along and taking selfies. They are some of the 135,000-member fan clubs of top male South Korean singer Lim Young-Woong, gathering to watch "Mr Trot: The Movie", a movie featuring him and other singers who perform the country`s oldest form of popular music, commonly called trot. Lim`s fan club is called 'Age of Hero', after the singer`s name which means hero in Korean. Once ridiculed as music for grannies, the trot is making a comeback and many South Koreans, mostly in their 40s and above, are cheering an alternative to K-pop idol music in one of the world`s fastest ageing societies. K-pop is a multi-billion-dollar global music industry with bubbly bands like BTS and BLACKPINK enjoying huge fan bases outside South Korea. But at home, trot signers performing old ballads have seen the biggest increase in fans, according to top portal website Daum that analyses growth rates of fan clubs and their social media activities. "Our country is ageing, but it is hard to find songs that bring emotional empathy for the elderly population because the music is too idol-oriented," said Park Woo-Jung, 54, a member of Age of Hero. "But listening to Lim Young-Woong, I find his voice beautiful and comforting," said Park, wearing the sky-blue Hero mask. Lim`s new single topped online music charts earlier this month. Although considered uncool by youngsters, trot music has a broad national following with a storied history of success going back before the birth of modern K-pop. The music’s melancholic lyrics of unrequited love or yearning played to a repetitive beat has resonated with babyboomers and retirees, the generation that helped build Asia’s fourth-largest economy. MONEY AND TIME Today, fans of the genre have become an economic force to reckon with and many use their unlimited data plans to plug into streaming sites or vote for their favourite stars at awards, embracing ways of K-pop followers. "Fandom of the middle-aged and elderly is unconditional," said Jung Duk Hyun, a pop-culture columnist. "They have time to listen all day. They have money, and think their stars energize their life, then aggressively invest by buying and clicking." When Lim of Mr Trot became the model for a Ssangyong Motor SUV this year, sales surged 63% in May and 98% in June compared to the vehicle`s monthly average sales between January and April this year, the carmaker said. Song Jong-Choon is a fan of trot singer Song Ga-in whose songs, he says, "heal his broken soul," especially the one about lost hometowns that remind him of the countryside home he left. He doesn`t hesitate a moment to support her career. "We are old, and many of us are in the 50s who have economic power, so normally don`t mind the spending. But, if you are a (K-pop) idol fan, you have to do a part-time job to buy a concert ticket." The song is head of Song Ga-in`s fan club "AGAIN" with 57,000 members and six regional chapters. The club has its own guide book to show how to subscribe to streaming sites and click likes for her music videos. The living room of his apartment is decorated with giant photos of the singer and merchandise in her signature pink ranging from aprons to cushions with the singer`s pictures. The trot is unlikely to reach the global success of K-pop largely because of the language barrier, but fans believe their fandom as something special, treating their stars as if they are their own children. "BTS has (its Fanclub) ARMY but we are Mommies," said Hwang Eun-Jeong, a 52-year-old housewife and a member of Lim Young-Woong's fan club.

Trot is hot: It's not just K-pop in South Korea

US President-elect Joe Biden in phone calls with the leaders of Australia, Japan and South Korea emphasised on maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Joe Biden's call to Asian leaders amid growing China threat

A reality TV episode showing the K-pop girl band BLACKPINK holding a newly born panda was pulled after backlash from some in China who accused the group of mishandling a national treasure, the latest dust-up between South Korea's entertainment superstars and China's audiences.

K-pop girl band BLACKPINK faces backlash in China over panda handling

Green activists Kim Yona and Lee Dong-I use the bottle caps to make a tube-squeezing device - something they hope consumers will find useful and be able to keep, rather than toss out after just one use.

South Korean "sparrows" try to cap surge of throwaway plastic

Nikkei rises 1.1 per cent to nine-month top, South Korean index gains 1.5 per cent.

Asian shares rally to near 3-year high

A North Korean man was captured by South Korea's military on Wednesday after crossing the inter-Korean border, Seoul said.

The man was identified by Seoul only as a North Korean male, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.&nbsp;

Investigations will be conducted "in cooperation with related agencies for details", it added, including whether the man sought to defect to the South.

No unusual activity of the North's military has been detected, it said.

Last year, a North Korean soldier made a river crossing of the Demilitarised Zone that divides the peninsula.

More than 30,000 North Koreans have escaped to the South since the two were separated by war more than 65 years ago, according to Seoul government data, many of them driven by prolonged economic hardship.

But the vast majority have gone first to the North's neighbour and ally China before making their way to the South, usually via a third country.

Only a few have dared to cross the DMZ, which is riddled with landmines and has a heavy military presence on both sides.

In November 2017, a North Korean soldier dashed through the border village of Panmunjom in a hail of gunfire from his own side. The trooper, then 24, was hit several times but survived.

The latest crossing comes days after the North placed the blame for its killing of a South Korean fisheries official last month on Seoul's "improper control of the citizen", and inter-Korean relations remain in a state of deep freeze.

A North Korean man was captured by South Korea's military on Wednesday after crossing the inter-Korean border, Seoul said. The man was identified by Seoul only as a North Korean male, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

A North Korean man was captured by South Korea's military on Wednesday after crossing the inter-Korean border, Seoul said. The man was identified by Seoul only as a North Korean male, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Investigations will be conducted "in cooperation with related agencies for details", it added, including whether the man sought to defect to the South. No unusual activity of the North's military has been detected, it said. Last year, a North Korean soldier made a river crossing of the Demilitarised Zone that divides the peninsula. More than 30,000 North Koreans have escaped to the South since the two were separated by war more than 65 years ago, according to Seoul government data, many of them driven by prolonged economic hardship. But the vast majority have gone first to the North's neighbour and ally China before making their way to the South, usually via a third country. Only a few have dared to cross the DMZ, which is riddled with landmines and has a heavy military presence on both sides. In November 2017, a North Korean soldier dashed through the border village of Panmunjom in a hail of gunfire from his own side. The trooper, then 24, was hit several times but survived. The latest crossing comes days after the North placed the blame for its killing of a South Korean fisheries official last month on Seoul's "improper control of the citizen", and inter-Korean relations remain in a state of deep freeze.

South Korean military captures North Korean crossing border

A Chinese baby panda, born to a pair of adult pandas loaned to South Korea from China, celebrated her 100th day on Wednesday (November 4) and received a new name and blessings from the public.

Giant panda cub makes her debut at South Korea zoo

South Korea's headline inflation slowed sharply in October after notching a six-month high the previous month.

South Korea's inflation slows sharply in October

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim.&nbsp;

Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier.

The 57-year-old recently said that he didn’t expect the crimes to be buried forever.

"I didn't think the crimes would be buried forever," Lee told a court&nbsp;in the city of Suwon in South Korea.

Last year, he confessed to the murders to the police. But this was pertinent, for this was the first time he had referred the killings.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/north-korea-says-shooting-death-of-south-korean-man-was-self-defensive-measure-338924" hreflang="en">North Korea says shooting death of South Korean man was self-defensive measure</a>

A South Korean law protects the privacy of suspects and criminals, which is why the criminal’s full name is not divulged in the country.

The suspect was released in 2008 after spending 20 years in prison for raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl.

Among his 10 killings that took place between 1986 and 1991, commonly referred to as the Hwaseong murders, the murder of the 13-year-old is the most commonly known.

For a long time, the nine murders besides the one mentioned above went unsolved. The cases were recorded in “Memories of Murder”, a film in 2003 made by Bong Joon Ho made by “Parasite”.

In 2019, the police had launched an investigation into the murders after DNA evidence emerged.

The assailant had protested his innocence for years, and was granted a retrial. Currently, his lawyers are trying to overturn his conviction.

The man’s retrial is currently underway. On Monday, Lee claimed that the police had questioned him during the killing but said that he was carrying the watch of one of his victims, but was only asked for his identification by the police, after which he was set free.

"I still don't understand (why I wasn't a suspect)," CNN quoted him as saying.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-changed-its-military-draft-policy-heres-what-it-entails-338135" hreflang="en">South Korea changed its military draft policy. Here's what it entails</a>

"Crimes happened around me and I didn't try hard to hide things so I thought I would get caught easily. There were hundreds of police forces. I bumped into detectives all the time but they always asked me about people around me”, he further said, according to CNN.

Lee claimed that he had no reason for killing the youngster, and claimed to have not seen any emotion during the murder of the 13-year-old.

”It was an impulsive act," he claimed in court.

"I heard from someone that a person with a disability was arrested but I didn't know which one he was arrested for as I committed many (crimes)”, he added, as reported by CNN.

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim. Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier.

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim. Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier. The 57-year-old recently said that he didn’t expect the crimes to be buried forever. "I didn't think the crimes would be buried forever," Lee told a court in the city of Suwon in South Korea. Last year, he confessed to the murders to the police. But this was pertinent, for this was the first time he had referred the killings. Also read: North Korea says shooting death of South Korean man was self-defensive measure A South Korean law protects the privacy of suspects and criminals, which is why the criminal’s full name is not divulged in the country. The suspect was released in 2008 after spending 20 years in prison for raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl. Among his 10 killings that took place between 1986 and 1991, commonly referred to as the Hwaseong murders, the murder of the 13-year-old is the most commonly known. For a long time, the nine murders besides the one mentioned above went unsolved. The cases were recorded in “Memories of Murder”, a film in 2003 made by Bong Joon Ho made by “Parasite”. In 2019, the police had launched an investigation into the murders after DNA evidence emerged. The assailant had protested his innocence for years, and was granted a retrial. Currently, his lawyers are trying to overturn his conviction. The man’s retrial is currently underway. On Monday, Lee claimed that the police had questioned him during the killing but said that he was carrying the watch of one of his victims, but was only asked for his identification by the police, after which he was set free. "I still don't understand (why I wasn't a suspect)," CNN quoted him as saying. Also read: South Korea changed its military draft policy. Here's what it entails "Crimes happened around me and I didn't try hard to hide things so I thought I would get caught easily. There were hundreds of police forces. I bumped into detectives all the time but they always asked me about people around me”, he further said, according to CNN. Lee claimed that he had no reason for killing the youngster, and claimed to have not seen any emotion during the murder of the 13-year-old. ”It was an impulsive act," he claimed in court. "I heard from someone that a person with a disability was arrested but I didn't know which one he was arrested for as I committed many (crimes)”, he added, as reported by CNN.

South Korea: Man responsible for 14 murders claims he's surprised to have not been caught earlier

South Korea's Seoul Metropolitan Government released Halloween video and posters earlier this week to ensure residents stick to guidelines and avoid a resurgence in cases during the weekend.

'Don't end up a real ghost', warn S.Korea officials worried about virus resurgence

North Korea said the shooting death of a South Korean man in its waters last month was a self-defensive measure amid concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, state media reported on Friday.

North Korean troops shot dead a South Korean fisheries official who went missing in late September, before dousing his body in oil and setting it on fire, South Korea's military have said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-apologised-for-killing-of-south-korean-citizen-seoul-330111">Also read|&nbsp;Kim Jong Un apologised for killing of South Korean citizen: Seoul</a>

Seoul has called for a joint investigation after the North said it burned a floatation device he was using, not his body, amid public and political outrage.

The North's official KCNA news agency accused South Korean opposition lawmakers of stoking controversy over the issue, blaming Seoul for failing to stop him from crossing the maritime border into the North.

"Our soldier could not but take self-defensive measure as he judged that the South Korean citizen who had made an illegal intrusion into the waters ... under the control of our side was about to flee, not responding to interception," KCNA said.

The incident was "the result of improper control of the citizen by the south side in the sensitive hotspot at a time when there are tension and danger due to the vicious virus sweeping the whole of South Korea," it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-calls-killing-of-official-by-north-korea-unpardonable-329950">Also read|&nbsp;South Korean president calls killing of official by North Korea 'unpardonable'</a>

"Therefore, the blame for the incident first rests with the south side."

South Korea's military has said the man was attempting to defect to the North when he was reported missing from a fisheries boat just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a disputed demarcation of military control that acts as the de facto maritime boundary between the two Koreas.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare apology for the killing days after the incident, saying it was to prevent any coronavirus outbreak.

North Korea said the shooting death of a South Korean man in its waters last month was a self-defensive measure amid concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, state media reported on Friday.

North Korea said the shooting death of a South Korean man in its waters last month was a self-defensive measure amid concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, state media reported on Friday. North Korean troops shot dead a South Korean fisheries official who went missing in late September, before dousing his body in oil and setting it on fire, South Korea's military have said. Also read| Kim Jong Un apologised for killing of South Korean citizen: Seoul Seoul has called for a joint investigation after the North said it burned a floatation device he was using, not his body, amid public and political outrage. The North's official KCNA news agency accused South Korean opposition lawmakers of stoking controversy over the issue, blaming Seoul for failing to stop him from crossing the maritime border into the North. "Our soldier could not but take self-defensive measure as he judged that the South Korean citizen who had made an illegal intrusion into the waters ... under the control of our side was about to flee, not responding to interception," KCNA said. The incident was "the result of improper control of the citizen by the south side in the sensitive hotspot at a time when there are tension and danger due to the vicious virus sweeping the whole of South Korea," it added. Also read| South Korean president calls killing of official by North Korea 'unpardonable' "Therefore, the blame for the incident first rests with the south side." South Korea's military has said the man was attempting to defect to the North when he was reported missing from a fisheries boat just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a disputed demarcation of military control that acts as the de facto maritime boundary between the two Koreas. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare apology for the killing days after the incident, saying it was to prevent any coronavirus outbreak.

North Korea says shooting death of South Korean man was self-defensive measure

They are not convicted criminals. But more than 60 people in South Korea will work, eat and sleep in prisons- an alternative to compulsory military service. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: The alternative to compulsory military service in South Korea

South Korea's youth have two options: Join the army, or go to prison. It is among the handful of countries that has a policy of forced military service. But recently, the laws have been relaxed.

People who refuse to serve now have the option of public service. But there's a catch. They are being deployed in prisons for this work. In South Korea, the choice was always clear: Serve in the military or be branded a criminal. South Korea has a policy of compulsory military service; failing to serve means going to prison.

20,000 people have been imprisoned over this rule, and some of them have been subjected to brutal treatment.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-alternative-to-compulsory-military-service-in-south-korea-338159/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But not anymore

South Korea has announced a major change to its military draft policy with an alternative service that can be performed instead of military duty. People who refuse to serve will still be in prison but as workers, not inmates. They will cook for the prisoners, clean the prison walls, and serve as assistants to the prison doctor. But - they will remain free men, with no criminal records.

Right now, prison work is the only option but gradually more forms of public service are expected to be added like working in nursing homes or as firefighters. Military service is sacred in South Korea, and all able-bodied men are required to serve for at least 21 months. It is considered the best way to counter its rival, North Korea. But since 1949, at least 400,000 people have refused to serve.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/in-south-korea-draft-resisters-still-go-to-prison-but-now-its-a-job-337889" hreflang="en">In South Korea, draft resisters still go to prison. But now it’s a job.</a>

A majority of them are Jehovah'sWwitnesses - A Christian group that does not believe in war and violence. While this is a historic moment in South Korea, the battle is only half-won. Three years of prison service in a country that prides itself as a liberal democracy is a lot.

But South Korean politicians say if the alternative is too easy, the youth will evade the draft in large numbers.

The fact is South Korea does need a large standing army, with the ever-present threat from North Korea.

Pyongyang claims to have more than a million soldiers in its ranks, and South Korea is struggling to keep up, especially with birth rates plummeting in the last few decades.

Draft dodgers in South Korea often become easy targets - like pop star Yoo Seung-Jun, who was accused of dodging military service in 2002 by becoming a US citizen.

South Korea is not alone in mandatory military service

&nbsp;In Israel - men must serve at least 3 years in the army, and women - two years. In Syria, military service is a must for all men and government workers who evade it end up losing their job, with reports of rigorous jail terms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/lee-kun-hee-who-made-south-koreas-samsung-a-global-powerhouse-dies-at-78-337830" hreflang="en">Lee Kun-hee, who made South Korea's Samsung a global powerhouse, dies at 78</a>

Even Switzerland has similar rules: The Swiss endorsed compulsory military service thrice in three separate referendums. But people do have the option of civilian service.

South Korea's youth have two options: Join the army, or go to prison. It is among the handful of countries that has a policy of forced military service. But recently, the laws have been relaxed.

South Korea's youth have two options: Join the army, or go to prison. It is among the handful of countries that has a policy of forced military service. But recently, the laws have been relaxed. People who refuse to serve now have the option of public service. But there's a catch. They are being deployed in prisons for this work. In South Korea, the choice was always clear: Serve in the military or be branded a criminal. South Korea has a policy of compulsory military service; failing to serve means going to prison. 20,000 people have been imprisoned over this rule, and some of them have been subjected to brutal treatment. But not anymore South Korea has announced a major change to its military draft policy with an alternative service that can be performed instead of military duty. People who refuse to serve will still be in prison but as workers, not inmates. They will cook for the prisoners, clean the prison walls, and serve as assistants to the prison doctor. But - they will remain free men, with no criminal records. Right now, prison work is the only option but gradually more forms of public service are expected to be added like working in nursing homes or as firefighters. Military service is sacred in South Korea, and all able-bodied men are required to serve for at least 21 months. It is considered the best way to counter its rival, North Korea. But since 1949, at least 400,000 people have refused to serve. Also read: In South Korea, draft resisters still go to prison. But now it’s a job. A majority of them are Jehovah'sWwitnesses - A Christian group that does not believe in war and violence. While this is a historic moment in South Korea, the battle is only half-won. Three years of prison service in a country that prides itself as a liberal democracy is a lot. But South Korean politicians say if the alternative is too easy, the youth will evade the draft in large numbers. The fact is South Korea does need a large standing army, with the ever-present threat from North Korea. Pyongyang claims to have more than a million soldiers in its ranks, and South Korea is struggling to keep up, especially with birth rates plummeting in the last few decades. Draft dodgers in South Korea often become easy targets - like pop star Yoo Seung-Jun, who was accused of dodging military service in 2002 by becoming a US citizen. South Korea is not alone in mandatory military service In Israel - men must serve at least 3 years in the army, and women - two years. In Syria, military service is a must for all men and government workers who evade it end up losing their job, with reports of rigorous jail terms. Also read: Lee Kun-hee, who made South Korea's Samsung a global powerhouse, dies at 78 Even Switzerland has similar rules: The Swiss endorsed compulsory military service thrice in three separate referendums. But people do have the option of civilian service.

South Korea changed its military draft policy. Here's what it entails

Singapore&nbsp;has temporarily halted the use of two influenza vaccines as a precaution after some people who received them in South Korea died, becoming among the first countries to publicly announce a halt of the vaccines' usage.

South Korea reported that 48 have died as of Saturday after getting flu shots, but said it would carry on with the state-run vaccination programme as they found no direct link between the deaths and the shots.

No deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;to date, but the decision to halt the use of SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra was precautionary, the health ministry and the Health Sciences Authority (HAS) said in a statement late on Sunday.

The HSA is in touch with the South Korean authorities for further information as they investigate to determine if the deaths are related to influenza vaccinations.

SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is manufactured by South Korea's SK Bioscience and locally distributed by AJ Biologics, while VaxigripTetra is manufactured by Sanofi&nbsp;and locally distributed by Sanofi Aventis.

Two other influenza vaccines that have been brought into&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;for the Northern Hemisphere 2020/21 influenza season may continue to be used,&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;health authorities said.

Singapore has temporarily halted the use of two influenza vaccines as a precaution after some people who received them in South Korea died, becoming among the first countries to publicly announce a halt of the vaccines' usage.

Singapore has temporarily halted the use of two influenza vaccines as a precaution after some people who received them in South Korea died, becoming among the first countries to publicly announce a halt of the vaccines' usage. South Korea reported that 48 have died as of Saturday after getting flu shots, but said it would carry on with the state-run vaccination programme as they found no direct link between the deaths and the shots. No deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in Singapore to date, but the decision to halt the use of SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra was precautionary, the health ministry and the Health Sciences Authority (HAS) said in a statement late on Sunday. The HSA is in touch with the South Korean authorities for further information as they investigate to determine if the deaths are related to influenza vaccinations. SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is manufactured by South Korea's SK Bioscience and locally distributed by AJ Biologics, while VaxigripTetra is manufactured by Sanofi and locally distributed by Sanofi Aventis. Two other influenza vaccines that have been brought into Singapore for the Northern Hemisphere 2020/21 influenza season may continue to be used, Singapore health authorities said.

Singapore temporarily halts use of two flu vaccines after South Korea deaths

Singapore has temporarily halted the use of two influenza vaccines as a precaution after some people who received them in South Korea died, becoming among the first countries to publicly announce a halt of the vaccines' usage.

South Korea reported that 48 have died as of Saturday after getting flu shots, but said it would carry on with the state-run vaccination programme as they found no direct link between the deaths and the shots.

No deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in Singapore to date, but the decision to halt the use of SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra was precautionary, the health ministry and the Health Sciences Authority (HAS) said in a statement late on Sunday.

The HSA is in touch with the South Korean authorities for further information as they investigate to determine if the deaths are related to influenza vaccinations.

SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is manufactured by South Korea's SK Bioscience and locally distributed by AJ Biologics, while VaxigripTetra is manufactured by Sanofi and locally distributed by Sanofi Aventis.

Two other influenza vaccines that have been brought into Singapore for the Northern Hemisphere 2020/21 influenza season may continue to be used, Singapore health authorities said.

Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison.

But unlike those before him, Lee will not enter as a convicted criminal. He will be among the first conscientious objectors in South Korea allowed to perform alternative service — jobs like cook, ​janitor and clinic assistant​​ — behind prison walls.

For three years starting Monday, Lee and 63 others will work, eat and sleep in prisons, though they will live apart from the inmates and will be allowed several weeks of leave. And unlike Jehovah’s Witnesses who served prison terms for their beliefs, they will have no criminal record to trail them for the rest of their lives.

Alternative service is a seismic shift in a country that considers conscription crucial to its defense against North Korea, with which it is still technically at war. Military duty is seen as a revered rite of passage for able-bodied young men, who are required to spend 21 months in uniform, usually between the ages of 18 and 28.

South Korea has imprisoned more conscientious objectors than any other country. Its Military Service Act requires up to three years in prison for those who refuse the draft without “justifiable” reasons. For decades, hundreds of young men, almost all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses, were put behind bars each year, usually for 18 months. As inmates, they did much of the same work that Lee will be doing.

“The difference is that the old objectors did it for 18 months wearing a prisoner’s uniform, but we will do it for three years as legalized conscientious objectors,” Lee said. “I am grateful that I am finally given this chance to serve the country without ​violating my conscience.”

A historic 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court found that imprisoning conscientious objectors was unconstitutional because there were no alternative forms of service, and it ordered the government to create some. In December, parliament passed legislation that allowed for civilian service in prisons “and other areas of public interest” — though for now, at least, prison work is the only option the government is offering.

Human rights groups were critical, saying that the three-year requirement made South Korea’s alternative service the longest in the world.

Conscientious objectors “are confronted with little more than an alternative punishment,” Arnold Fang, an East Asia researcher for Amnesty International, said in December. “Confining people to work in a prison — and for almost twice as long as the typical military service — does not respect their right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.”

Still, for Jehovah’s Witnesses, alternative service is a hard-won victory.

In the decades after the Korean War, when South Korea was ruled by military dictators, male Jehovah’s Witnesses of draft age who refused to serve were dragged into military boot camps and stockades, where they were vilified as “traitors,” beaten and in some cases killed, according to reports from a presidential commission in 2008.

One member of the church, Kim Keun-hyeong, 27, said he knew from an early age that he would end up in prison unless he abandoned his beliefs. His older brother, also a Jehovah’s Witness, was imprisoned for refusing military service. When Kim disobeyed his enlistment order, he, too, was put on trial on charges of dodging the draft.

But his case was suspended in 2013, when he joined 27 others to mount the legal challenge that led to the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

“I respect ​the decision of ​those who join the military,” Kim said. “But I also wanted my decision not to join the military for my religious conviction to be respected, as well.”

After the court’s ruling, officials and lawmakers weighed various forms of civilian service, like working in nursing homes, fire stations or hospitals. Some argued that if alternative service was not long and rigorous enough, young men would try to evade the draft under the pretext of ethical principles, compromising the country’s ability to deter North Korea’s 1.1 million-strong military.

In their prison work, conscientious objectors will be exempt from guard and prisoner-escort duty, which involves carrying firearms. But like soldiers, they will live together in barrackslike facilities.

The question of who should be excused from military service has long been a sensitive topic in South Korea.

“It’s a sacred duty to defend our country, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to ​carry a weapon,” Noh Woong-rae, a senior lawmaker in the governing party, said this month. He floated the idea that K-pop stars, like members of BTS, should be exempted from the draft.

For decades, top athletes have been excused from military service on the grounds that they enhanced national prestige. K-pop fans say it is unfair that world-class pop stars are denied that privilege.

In a report to parliament this month, the Military Manpower Administration, which oversees the draft, offered a compromise: It would let top K-pop stars postpone their service so that they could perform for a few more years at the peak of their careers.

Such a revision would be a godsend for the oldest member of BTS, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 in December and must enlist within the following year.

But South Korea cannot afford too many exemptions. After decades of low birthrates, it will soon lack enough young men to maintain its conscript military at 620,000 members, defense officials say. (The military accepts female volunteers — about 13,000 are now serving — but there has never been serious discussion of drafting women.)

There is still much hostility in South Korea toward men seen as draft dodgers. Yoo Seung-jun, 43, once one of the most popular K-pop singers, saw his career crash and burn in 2002, after he was accused of evading military service by becoming an American citizen. He has since been barred from entering South Korea.

Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison.

Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison. But unlike those before him, Lee will not enter as a convicted criminal. He will be among the first conscientious objectors in South Korea allowed to perform alternative service — jobs like cook, janitor and clinic assistant — behind prison walls. For three years starting Monday, Lee and 63 others will work, eat and sleep in prisons, though they will live apart from the inmates and will be allowed several weeks of leave. And unlike Jehovah’s Witnesses who served prison terms for their beliefs, they will have no criminal record to trail them for the rest of their lives. Alternative service is a seismic shift in a country that considers conscription crucial to its defense against North Korea, with which it is still technically at war. Military duty is seen as a revered rite of passage for able-bodied young men, who are required to spend 21 months in uniform, usually between the ages of 18 and 28. South Korea has imprisoned more conscientious objectors than any other country. Its Military Service Act requires up to three years in prison for those who refuse the draft without “justifiable” reasons. For decades, hundreds of young men, almost all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses, were put behind bars each year, usually for 18 months. As inmates, they did much of the same work that Lee will be doing. “The difference is that the old objectors did it for 18 months wearing a prisoner’s uniform, but we will do it for three years as legalized conscientious objectors,” Lee said. “I am grateful that I am finally given this chance to serve the country without violating my conscience.” A historic 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court found that imprisoning conscientious objectors was unconstitutional because there were no alternative forms of service, and it ordered the government to create some. In December, parliament passed legislation that allowed for civilian service in prisons “and other areas of public interest” — though for now, at least, prison work is the only option the government is offering. Human rights groups were critical, saying that the three-year requirement made South Korea’s alternative service the longest in the world. Conscientious objectors “are confronted with little more than an alternative punishment,” Arnold Fang, an East Asia researcher for Amnesty International, said in December. “Confining people to work in a prison — and for almost twice as long as the typical military service — does not respect their right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.” Still, for Jehovah’s Witnesses, alternative service is a hard-won victory. In the decades after the Korean War, when South Korea was ruled by military dictators, male Jehovah’s Witnesses of draft age who refused to serve were dragged into military boot camps and stockades, where they were vilified as “traitors,” beaten and in some cases killed, according to reports from a presidential commission in 2008. One member of the church, Kim Keun-hyeong, 27, said he knew from an early age that he would end up in prison unless he abandoned his beliefs. His older brother, also a Jehovah’s Witness, was imprisoned for refusing military service. When Kim disobeyed his enlistment order, he, too, was put on trial on charges of dodging the draft. But his case was suspended in 2013, when he joined 27 others to mount the legal challenge that led to the Constitutional Court’s ruling. “I respect the decision of those who join the military,” Kim said. “But I also wanted my decision not to join the military for my religious conviction to be respected, as well.” After the court’s ruling, officials and lawmakers weighed various forms of civilian service, like working in nursing homes, fire stations or hospitals. Some argued that if alternative service was not long and rigorous enough, young men would try to evade the draft under the pretext of ethical principles, compromising the country’s ability to deter North Korea’s 1.1 million-strong military. In their prison work, conscientious objectors will be exempt from guard and prisoner-escort duty, which involves carrying firearms. But like soldiers, they will live together in barrackslike facilities. The question of who should be excused from military service has long been a sensitive topic in South Korea. “It’s a sacred duty to defend our country, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to carry a weapon,” Noh Woong-rae, a senior lawmaker in the governing party, said this month. He floated the idea that K-pop stars, like members of BTS, should be exempted from the draft. For decades, top athletes have been excused from military service on the grounds that they enhanced national prestige. K-pop fans say it is unfair that world-class pop stars are denied that privilege. In a report to parliament this month, the Military Manpower Administration, which oversees the draft, offered a compromise: It would let top K-pop stars postpone their service so that they could perform for a few more years at the peak of their careers. Such a revision would be a godsend for the oldest member of BTS, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 in December and must enlist within the following year. But South Korea cannot afford too many exemptions. After decades of low birthrates, it will soon lack enough young men to maintain its conscript military at 620,000 members, defense officials say. (The military accepts female volunteers — about 13,000 are now serving — but there has never been serious discussion of drafting women.) There is still much hostility in South Korea toward men seen as draft dodgers. Yoo Seung-jun, 43, once one of the most popular K-pop singers, saw his career crash and burn in 2002, after he was accused of evading military service by becoming an American citizen. He has since been barred from entering South Korea.

In South Korea, draft resisters still go to prison. But now it’s a job.

Lee Kun-hee, who built Samsung Electronics into a global powerhouse in smartphones, semiconductors and televisions, died on Sunday after spending more than six years in hospital following a heart attack, the company said.

The charismatic leader of Samsung Group and the country`s richest person, grew it into South Korea’s biggest conglomerate. But he was also convicted of bribery and tax evasion, and he and the empire he built were vilified for wielding huge economic clout, and for opaque governance and dubious transfers of the family wealth.

"Lee is such a symbolic figure in South Korea`s spectacular rise and how South Korea embraced globalisation, that his death will be remembered by so many Koreans," said Chung Sun-sup, chief executive of corporate researcher firm Chaebul.com.

Samsung Group affiliates` 326.7 trillion won ($289.6 billion) in 2019 revenue was worth 17% of South Korea`s gross domestic product, according to Fair Trade Commission data and a Reuters calculation.

Around 5 p.m. (0800 GMT), Lee`s son Jay Y. Lee, wearing a face mask, walked into the Samsung Medical Center where a memorial was being held. The area for the memorial was limited to 50 people, a sign said.

The funeral will be a small family affair, Samsung said. It did not say when or where the funeral would be.

Lee, who was 78, is the latest second-generation leader of a South Korean family-controlled conglomerate, or chaebol, to die, leaving potentially thorny succession issues for the third generation.

Ruling party leader and former prime minister Lee Nak-yon praised Lee`s leadership, but said, "It can`t be denied that he reinforced chaebol-led economic structure and failed to recognise labour unions."

The death of Lee, with a net worth of $20.9 billion according to Forbes, is set to prompt investor interest in a potential restructuring of the group involving his stakes in key Samsung companies such as Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Electronics.

Lee owns 20.76% of the insurance firm and is the biggest individual shareholder of Samsung Electronics with a 4.18% stake.

Jay Y. Lee has been embroiled in legal troubles linked to a merger of two Samsung affiliates that helped Lee assume greater control of the group’s flagship Samsung Electronics.

The younger Lee served jail time for his role in a bribery scandal that triggered the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye. The case, being heard on appeal, is scheduled to resume on Monday. A separate trial on charges of accounting fraud and stock price manipulation kicked off this month.

"With Lee passing, Samsung Group is now facing the biggest governance shakeup since the merger between Cheil Industries and Samsung C&amp;T" in 2015, said Ahn Sang-hee, a corporate governance expert at Daishin Economic Research Institute.

"For Jay Y. Lee, getting the most of that stake Lee Kun-hee holds is more important than ever," Ahn said. "The key here is with taxes. Coming up with enough taxes related to inheritance and avoiding possible disputes with his sisters are major hurdles."

It remains unclear how the elder Lee`s three children and his wife will split his wealth, an issue that led to family feuds at other chaebols after the deaths of their patriarchs.

"It has been six years since Lee was hospitalised, so if there is a consensus among the children, Samsung will go through an orderly succession. If not, there is a possibility of a feud," said Park Sang-in, a professor at Seoul National University.

Lee died with his family by his side, including Jay Y. Lee, the Samsung Electronics vice chairman, the conglomerate said.

"Chairman Lee was a true visionary who transformed Samsung into the world-leading innovator and industrial powerhouse from a local business," Samsung said in a statement.

The company did not specify the cause of death and declined to comment on whether Lee left a will.

Lee became Samsung Group chairman in 1987 but had to resign more than a decade later after being convicted of bribing the country`s president.

He was convicted again in 2008 of breach of trust and embezzlement, but the long-time member of the International Olympic Committee was pardoned to help the country`s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

His aggressive bets on new businesses, especially semiconductors, helped grow his father Lee Byung-chull`s noodle trading business into a sprawling powerhouse with assets worth some $375 billion, with dozens of affiliates stretching from electronics and insurance to shipbuilding and construction.

"His legacy will be everlasting," Samsung said.

Lee Kun-hee, who built Samsung Electronics into a global powerhouse in smartphones, semiconductors and televisions, died on Sunday after spending more than six years in hospital following a heart attack, the company said.

Lee Kun-hee, who built Samsung Electronics into a global powerhouse in smartphones, semiconductors and televisions, died on Sunday after spending more than six years in hospital following a heart attack, the company said. The charismatic leader of Samsung Group and the country`s richest person, grew it into South Korea’s biggest conglomerate. But he was also convicted of bribery and tax evasion, and he and the empire he built were vilified for wielding huge economic clout, and for opaque governance and dubious transfers of the family wealth. "Lee is such a symbolic figure in South Korea`s spectacular rise and how South Korea embraced globalisation, that his death will be remembered by so many Koreans," said Chung Sun-sup, chief executive of corporate researcher firm Chaebul.com. Samsung Group affiliates` 326.7 trillion won ($289.6 billion) in 2019 revenue was worth 17% of South Korea`s gross domestic product, according to Fair Trade Commission data and a Reuters calculation. Around 5 p.m. (0800 GMT), Lee`s son Jay Y. Lee, wearing a face mask, walked into the Samsung Medical Center where a memorial was being held. The area for the memorial was limited to 50 people, a sign said. The funeral will be a small family affair, Samsung said. It did not say when or where the funeral would be. Lee, who was 78, is the latest second-generation leader of a South Korean family-controlled conglomerate, or chaebol, to die, leaving potentially thorny succession issues for the third generation. Ruling party leader and former prime minister Lee Nak-yon praised Lee`s leadership, but said, "It can`t be denied that he reinforced chaebol-led economic structure and failed to recognise labour unions." The death of Lee, with a net worth of $20.9 billion according to Forbes, is set to prompt investor interest in a potential restructuring of the group involving his stakes in key Samsung companies such as Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Electronics. Lee owns 20.76% of the insurance firm and is the biggest individual shareholder of Samsung Electronics with a 4.18% stake. Jay Y. Lee has been embroiled in legal troubles linked to a merger of two Samsung affiliates that helped Lee assume greater control of the group’s flagship Samsung Electronics. The younger Lee served jail time for his role in a bribery scandal that triggered the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye. The case, being heard on appeal, is scheduled to resume on Monday. A separate trial on charges of accounting fraud and stock price manipulation kicked off this month. "With Lee passing, Samsung Group is now facing the biggest governance shakeup since the merger between Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T" in 2015, said Ahn Sang-hee, a corporate governance expert at Daishin Economic Research Institute. "For Jay Y. Lee, getting the most of that stake Lee Kun-hee holds is more important than ever," Ahn said. "The key here is with taxes. Coming up with enough taxes related to inheritance and avoiding possible disputes with his sisters are major hurdles." It remains unclear how the elder Lee`s three children and his wife will split his wealth, an issue that led to family feuds at other chaebols after the deaths of their patriarchs. "It has been six years since Lee was hospitalised, so if there is a consensus among the children, Samsung will go through an orderly succession. If not, there is a possibility of a feud," said Park Sang-in, a professor at Seoul National University. Lee died with his family by his side, including Jay Y. Lee, the Samsung Electronics vice chairman, the conglomerate said. "Chairman Lee was a true visionary who transformed Samsung into the world-leading innovator and industrial powerhouse from a local business," Samsung said in a statement. The company did not specify the cause of death and declined to comment on whether Lee left a will. Lee became Samsung Group chairman in 1987 but had to resign more than a decade later after being convicted of bribing the country`s president. He was convicted again in 2008 of breach of trust and embezzlement, but the long-time member of the International Olympic Committee was pardoned to help the country`s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics. His aggressive bets on new businesses, especially semiconductors, helped grow his father Lee Byung-chull`s noodle trading business into a sprawling powerhouse with assets worth some $375 billion, with dozens of affiliates stretching from electronics and insurance to shipbuilding and construction. "His legacy will be everlasting," Samsung said.

Lee Kun-hee, who made South Korea's Samsung a global powerhouse, dies at 78

At least 25 people have died including a 17-year-old boy after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-reports-first-triple-digit-rise-in-coronavirus-cases-in-six-days-334904">South Korean</a> authorities began their seasonal influenza inoculation effort on October 13. 


<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-south-koreans-die-after-getting-flu-shots-sparking-vaccine-fears-336877">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/five-south-koreans-die-after-getting-flu-shots-sparking-vaccine-fears-336877" hreflang="en">Five South Koreans die after getting flu shots, sparking vaccine fears</a>

South Korea's health agency said it found no links between the death of the 17-year-old and the flu shot he had taken.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had said earlier that the toll has reached 25 over the past week as doctors and politicians called for a halt to the programme. However, South Korean health authorities have refused to suspend the flu shot campaign amid safety concerns over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-relaxes-coronavirus-restrictions-as-cases-decrease-334477">vaccine</a>.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun had earlier called for an investigation into the exact cause of the deaths.

"So far experts said there was a low possibility that the shots and deaths were related but many citizens remain anxious," the South Korean PM had said.

The KDCA said that the flu shot was set to be administered to around 19 million teenagers and senior citizen as the KDCA director Jeong Eun-Kyeong said the vaccines would continue to be supplied.

The Korean disease control agency said that so far at least 8.3 million people have been inoculated since October 13 when the programme began with about 350 cases of adverse reactions.

The vaccine providers include domestic firms SK Bioscience, GC Pharma, Korea Vaccine and Boryung Biopharma Co Ltd.

At least 25 people have died including a 17-year-old boy after South Korean authorities began their seasonal influenza inoculation effort on October 13. Also Read: Five South Koreans die after getting flu shots, sparking vaccine fears South Korea's health agency said it found no links between the death of the 17-year-old and the flu shot he had taken.

At least 25 people have died including a 17-year-old boy after South Korean authorities began their seasonal influenza inoculation effort on October 13. Also Read: Five South Koreans die after getting flu shots, sparking vaccine fears South Korea's health agency said it found no links between the death of the 17-year-old and the flu shot he had taken. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had said earlier that the toll has reached 25 over the past week as doctors and politicians called for a halt to the programme. However, South Korean health authorities have refused to suspend the flu shot campaign amid safety concerns over the vaccine. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun had earlier called for an investigation into the exact cause of the deaths. "So far experts said there was a low possibility that the shots and deaths were related but many citizens remain anxious," the South Korean PM had said. The KDCA said that the flu shot was set to be administered to around 19 million teenagers and senior citizen as the KDCA director Jeong Eun-Kyeong said the vaccines would continue to be supplied. The Korean disease control agency said that so far at least 8.3 million people have been inoculated since October 13 when the programme began with about 350 cases of adverse reactions. The vaccine providers include domestic firms SK Bioscience, GC Pharma, Korea Vaccine and Boryung Biopharma Co Ltd.

Death toll in South Korea's flu shot campaign rises to 25; authorities refuse to withdraw vaccine

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